Seagoe Hotel, Portadown

Like many hotels across Ireland, the Seagoe was once a venue for big showband entertainment. New owners have recently upgraded the hotel and cater to tourists and business mainly.

Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow

The Seven Oaks is a medium sized hotel that ran many dances on Sundays nights in the 70s and 80's but recently has focused on business conferences and functions.

Showboat Ballroom, Youghal

In this photo from Jonathan Neville, both the Showboat, on the left, and the Strand Palace, on the right, are seen. In the 60's and 70's most seaside towns had several ballrooms running side by side.

Showboat Ballroom, Youghal

We have included this additional photo from Jonathan Neville of the Showboat being demolished to make way for luxury apartments on the waterfront in Youghal, seemingly a common end for seaside ballrooms.

Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo

Formerly Jury's Hotel, the Sligo Park has undergone many changes. It has hosted a wide variety of big band events including dances and awards concerts. It now boasts a huge leisure complex.

Springhill Court Hotel, Kilkenny

Like most of Ireland's smaller hotels, the Springhill Court used to run showband dances, but more recently has been "refitted" to mainly serve wedding and business clients.

St Brigid's Hall, Carnew Co. Wicklow

Like so many other St. (fill in the blank) halls around Ireland, St. Brigid's was a mecca for dancers in the 1960's and 1970's and it was recently refurbished.

St. Oliver Plunkett Hall, Clady, Co. Derry

Managed in the 50's and 60's by the late Eoin McErlean, the Oliver Plunkett "Social Club" was a mecca for dancing on the Derry-Antrim border. Today it continues to function as the local parish hall - info from Philip McErlean.

Strand Ballroom, Portstewart

As in most Irish seaside towns, summertime dancing in Portstewart was all the rage in the heyday of the showbands. The Strand Ballroom beckoned dancers from across Ireland to its location a stone's throw from the sea. Our thanks to Billy Swann (formerly of the Cossacks) for this photo.

Strand Hotel, Waterville

The small 14 room, family run hotel ran dances in the 70's and 80's as did most hotels in resort areas. The hotel was recently sold. We don't know its current status.

Strand Palace, Youghal

Our thanks to Jonathan P. Neville for this photo of the Strand Palace, one of the oldest ballrooms in Cork. It still stands today, but has been coverted to apartments.

Sullivan's Hotel, Gort

A longtime entertainment center, Sullivan's now boasts Images Night Club, still going strong and one of the finest in Ireland. Regular traditional music sessions are held in the bar.

Swan Nite Club, Sligo

Held in the Silver Swan Hotel, the Swan Nite Club ran in the early 80's under the watchful eye of local promoter Tommy Higgins. The bands booked were usually medium sized pop groups. The hotel was recently demolished to make room for a new development.